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Basile G, Pecoraro A, Gallioli A, Territo A, Berquin C, Robalino J, Bravo A, Huguet J, Rodriguez-Faba Ó, Gavrilov P, Facundo C, Guirado L, Gaya JM, Palou J, Breda A. Robotic kidney transplantation. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:521-533. [PMID: 38480898 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00865-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease owing to improved survival and quality of life compared with dialysis. The surgical approach to kidney transplantation has been somewhat stagnant in the past 50 years, with the open approach being the only available option. In this scenario, evidence of reduced surgery-related morbidity after the introduction of robotics into several surgical fields has induced surgeons to consider robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) as an alternative approach to these fragile and immunocompromised patients. Since 2014, when the RAKT technique was standardized thanks to the pioneering collaboration between the Vattikuti Urology Institute and the Medanta hospital (Vattikuti Urology Institute-Medanta), several centres worldwide implemented RAKT programmes, providing interesting results regarding the safety and feasibility of this procedure. However, RAKT is still considered an alternative procedure to be offered mainly in the living donor setting, owing to various possible drawbacks such as prolonged rewarming time, demanding learning curve, and difficulties in carrying out this procedure in challenging scenarios (such as patients with obesity, severe atherosclerosis of the iliac vessels, deceased donor setting, or paediatric recipients). Nevertheless, the refinement of robotic platforms through the implementation of novel technologies as well as the encouraging results from multicentre collaborations under the umbrella of the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section are currently expanding the boundaries of RAKT, making this surgical procedure a real alternative to the open approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Basile
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Pecoraro
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urologic Surgery, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Gallioli
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angelo Territo
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Camille Berquin
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium, ERN eUROGEN accredited centre, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jorge Robalino
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandra Bravo
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Huguet
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Óscar Rodriguez-Faba
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pavel Gavrilov
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Facundo
- Department of Nephrology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonoma University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluis Guirado
- Department of Nephrology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonoma University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Gaya
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Palou
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Breda
- Department of Urology, Fundació Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Campi R, Pecoraro A, Piramide F, Gallo ML, Serni S, Mottrie A, Territo A, Decaestecker K, Breda A. The ERUS course on robot-assisted kidney transplantation. World J Urol 2024; 42:205. [PMID: 38554210 PMCID: PMC10981625 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-024-04802-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is being increasingly performed at selected referral institutions worldwide. Yet, surgical training in RAKT is still unstructured and not grounded into formal credentialing courses including simulation, lab facilities, and modular training with animal models. As such, developing standardized, modular training programs is warranted to provide surgeons with the RAKT-specific skillset needed for a "safe" learning curve. METHODS The 3-day course on RAKT developed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy was designed as a standardized, modular, step-by-step approach aiming to provide theoretical and practical skills. The course is held by expert proctors with extensive experience in RAKT. To maximize the course's usefulness, a solid knowledge of robotics and transplantation is desirable for participants. RESULTS From January 2016 to July 2023, 87 surgeons from 23 countries (of which 36% from extra-European countries) participated in the RAKT course performed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy. Of these, 58/87 (67%) were urologists, while 27/87 (31%) were general surgeons and 2/87 (2%) were vascular surgeons. To date, 18 participants (20.6%) are actively involved in RAKT programs at institutions included in the European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS)-RAKT network. CONCLUSION Leveraging the potential of simulation, wet-lab training, live porcine models, and experienced proctors, the RAKT course performed at the EAU Skills Center in Orsi Academy represents the first structured teaching effort aiming to offer surgeons a full immersion in RAKT to train the core technical skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Campi
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy.
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
- Chirurgia Urologica Robotica Mini-Invasiva e dei Trapianti Renali, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Viale San Luca, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessio Pecoraro
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Piramide
- Departement of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
- ORSI Academy, Ghent, Belgium
- Division of Urology, Department of Oncology, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Gallo
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sergio Serni
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Alex Mottrie
- Departement of Urology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
- ORSI Academy, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angelo Territo
- Department of Urology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karel Decaestecker
- Department of Urology, ERN eUROGEN Accredited Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Urology, AZ Maria Middelares Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alberto Breda
- Department of Urology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Kishore TA, Kaddu DJ, Sodhi BS, Srinivasan SP, Unni NV. Robotic Kidney Transplant Beyond the Learning Curve: 8-Year Single-center Experience and Matched Comparison With Open Kidney Transplant. Urology 2024; 183:100-105. [PMID: 37952604 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the medium to long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) and propensity-matched comparison with open kidney transplant (OKT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 342 patients from database, who underwent RAKT and OKT from January 2015 to May 2022, at our center. Various demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis including propensity matching using nearest neighbor algorithm was performed to ensure comparability between the RAKT and OKT groups. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.22.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) and STATA 13 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX). All statistical tests were two-sided, and a significance level of P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS After applying exclusion criteria, 196 RAKT patients and 102 OKT patients were included in the analysis. Propensity score matching resulted in the inclusion of 173 patients in the RAKT group. In the propensity-matched comparison of intra/perioperative parameters, RAKT showed significant reductions in total surgical time (P < .001), wound length (P < .001), blood loss (P < .001), blood transfusion rate (P < .001), pain score (P < .001), and analgesia requirement (P < .001). Graft survival and patient survival rates were comparable in RAKT and OKT groups at the end of 60months. CONCLUSION RAKT offers several advantages over OKT in terms of reduced operative time, blood loss, pain, and analgesia requirements. RAKT shows comparable graft and patient survival rates to OKT in the medium to long term.
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Campi R, Pecoraro A, Vignolini G, Spatafora P, Sebastianelli A, Sessa F, Li Marzi V, Territo A, Decaestecker K, Breda A, Serni S. The First Entirely 3D-Printed Training Model for Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation: The RAKT Box. EUR UROL SUPPL 2023; 53:98-105. [PMID: 37304228 PMCID: PMC10251129 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is increasingly performed at selected referral institutions worldwide. However, simulation and proficiency-based progression training frameworks for RAKT are still lacking, making acquisition of the RAKT-specific skill set a critical unmet need for future RAKT surgeons. Objective To develop and test the RAKT Box, the first entirely 3D-printed, perfused, hyperaccuracy simulator for vascular anastomoses during RAKT. Design setting and participants The project was developed in a stepwise fashion by a multidisciplinary team including urologists and bioengineers via an iterative process over a 3-yr period (November 2019-November 2022) using an established methodology. The essential and time-sensitive steps of RAKT were selected by a team of RAKT experts and simulated using the RAKT Box according to the principles of the Vattituki-Medanta technique. The RAKT Box was tested in the operating theatre by an expert RAKT surgeon and independently by four trainees with heterogeneous expertise in robotic surgery and kidney transplantation. Surgical procedure Simulation of RAKT. Measurements Video recordings of the trainees' performance of vascular anastomoses using the RAKT Box were evaluated blind by a senior surgeon according to the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) and Assessment of Robotic Console Skills (ARCS) tools. Results and limitations All participants successfully completed the training session, confirming the technical reliability of the RAKT Box simulator. Tangible differences were observed among the trainees in both anastomosis time and performance metrics. Key limitations of the RAKT Box include lack of simulation of the ureterovesical anastomosis and the need for a robotic platform, specific training instruments, and disposable 3D-printed vessels. Conclusions The RAKT Box is a reliable educational tool to train novice surgeons in the key steps of RAKT and may represent the first step toward the definition of a structured surgical curriculum in RAKT. Patient summary We describe the first entirely 3D-printed simulator that allows surgeons to test the key steps of robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) in a training environment before performing the procedure in patients. The simulator, called the RAKT Box, has been successfully tested by an expert surgeon and four trainees. The results confirm its reliability and potential as an educational tool for training of future RAKT surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Campi
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- European Association of Urology Young Academic Urologists Kidney Transplantation Working Group, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Alessio Pecoraro
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
- European Association of Urology Young Academic Urologists Kidney Transplantation Working Group, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Graziano Vignolini
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Pietro Spatafora
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Sebastianelli
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Li Marzi
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Angelo Territo
- European Association of Urology Young Academic Urologists Kidney Transplantation Working Group, Arnhem, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karel Decaestecker
- European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation Working Group, Arnhem, The Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alberto Breda
- Department of Urology, Fundaciò Puigvert, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation Working Group, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Sergio Serni
- Unit of Urological Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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